The Wayne Tartars football teams (later known as the Wayne State Tartars) represented Wayne University (known as Detroit City College prior to 1934 later renamed Wayne State University) in American football from 1930 to 1939.

Highlights of the 1930s include the following: David L. Holmes stepped down as the school's head football coach after the 1928 season. He remained with the school as athletic director and track coach for several decades thereafter. After Holmes' departure, the teams failed to win a game in 1930 (0–9) and 1931 (0–6–1) under head coach Norman G. Wann. In 1932, Joe Gembis took over as head coach. He served 14 years as head coach, compiling a 42–51–8 record.

1930

The 1930 Detroit City College Tartars football team represented Detroit City College (later renamed Wayne State University) in the Michigan Collegiate Conference during the 1930 college football season. In its second season under head coach Norman G. Wann, the team compiled a 0–9 record.

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1931

The 1931 Detroit City College Tartars football team represented Detroit City College (later renamed Wayne State University) as an independent during the 1931 college football season. In its third and final season under head coach Norman G. Wann, the team compiled a 0–6–1 record.

In January 1932, Sy Berent, a member of the team, led a petition drive in support of coach Norman Wann. The petition asserted that the team's mediocre performance in recent years was the result of high academic standards, the school's lack of appeal as an athletic center, and "indifference and lack of support by the student body." Wann was nevertheless replaced as the head football coach by Joe Gembis. Wann remained on the school's faculty as a teacher of physical education.

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1932

The 1932 Detroit City College Tartars football team represented Detroit City College (later renamed Wayne State University) as an independent during the 1932 college football season. The team compiled a 1–6 record and was outscored by its opponents by a combined total of 95 to 10.

Joe Gembis was hired as the team's head coach in July 1932. He succeeded Norman Wann as head coach. Gembis, a native of Vicksburg, Michigan, had played fullback for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 1927 to 1929; he coached Chesapeake High School in Chesapeake, Ohio, to a 14-4 record in 1931. Gembis agreed to coach the Detroit City College team in exchange for post graduate work.

On October 8, the Tartars defeated Toledo, 3–0, for their only victory of the 1932 season. Dan Dobbins, a substitute halfback, kicked a field goal in the last eight seconds.

During Gembis' 14-year tenure as the school's head football coach, the team began playing a higher caliber of opponents, including regular games against regular Michigan State, the University of Detroit, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Cincinnati, and Bowling Green. Gembis compiled an overall record of 42–51–8 at Detroit City College/Wayne University.

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1933

The 1933 Detroit City College Tartars football team represented Detroit City College (later renamed Wayne State University) as an independent during the 1933 college football season. In their second year under head coach Joe Gembis, the Tartars compiled a 2–5–1 record and were outscored opponents by a combined total of 130 to 56.

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1934

The 1934 Wayne Tartars football team represented Wayne University (later renamed Wayne State University) as an independent during the 1934 college football season. In their third year under head coach Joe Gembis, the Tartars compiled a 7–1 record, shut out five of eight opponents, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 179 to 26. Jimmy Demaree was the quarterback and star player.

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1935

The 1935 Wayne Tartars football team represented Wayne University (later renamed Wayne State University) as an independent during the 1935 college football season. In their fourth year under head coach Joe Gembis, the Tartars compiled a 5–2–1 record and shut out four of eight opponents.

Fred Bens was the team captain.2016 Football Media Guide, p. 112. The team played its four home games at Kelsey Field located at the corner of Fourth and Lysander in Detroit and used an old house for lockers, showers, equipment and training rooms.

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1936

The 1936 Wayne Tartars football team represented Wayne University (later renamed Wayne State University) as an independent during the 1936 college football season. In their fifth year under head coach Joe Gembis, the Tartars compiled a 5–2–1 record and shut out four of eight opponents.

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1937

The 1937 Wayne Tartars football team represented Wayne University (later renamed Wayne State University) as an independent during the 1937 college football season. In their sixth year under head coach Joe Gembis, the Tartars compiled a 6–2 record, shut out four of eight opponents, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 183 to 77. The coach's younger brother, George Gembis, and Frank "Ace" Cudillo were the stars of the team.

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1938

The 1938 Wayne Tartars football team represented Wayne University (later renamed Wayne State University) as an independent during the 1938 college football season. In their seventh year under head coach Joe Gembis, the Tartars compiled a 2–6 record and were outscored by opponents, 179 to 106. team defeated Akron (16–0) and Buffalo (35–0), but lost to Michigan State (34–6), Louisville (14–12), Michigan State Normal (20–7), Ohio (52–7), Toledo (39–20), and Central Michigan (20–3).

The 1938 team captain, George Gembis, became the first Wayne player to be selected in the National Football League Draft. He was selected by the Brooklyn Dodgers with the 115th overall pick in the 1939 NFL draft.Media Guide, p. 95.

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1939

The 1939 Wayne Tartars football team represented Wayne University (later renamed Wayne State University) as an independent during the 1939 college football season. In their eighth year under head coach Joe Gembis, the Tartars compiled a 4–5 record and were outscored by opponents, 117 to 66.

Wayne was ranked at No. 303 (out of 609 teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.

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References